More road construction began in the vicinity of Edmonton International Airport last Wednesday, but once completed will offer better traffic flow.
“Starting today, September 9, Edmonton International Airport (EIA) will begin a $15-million Airport Road Upgrade project,” stated a press release from Chris Chodan, EIA Communications.
“The project is a significant investment in the safe, smooth flow of traffic at EIA.” Chodan said the project will be split into two parts, one right now in the fall of 2015, one which stretches to year’s end.
“Phase 1 of the roadwork will be completed in late October, and Phase 2 will take place between October and December, 2015,” stated Chodan.
“Passengers will experience immediate benefits, such as improved ride-ability on Airport Road, new sections built, existing ones resurfaced, and preliminary intersection expansion between Airport Road and Airport Perimeter Road.”
Contacted by The Leduc/Wetaskiwin Pipestone Flyer Sept. 9, Chodan said there will be some impact on traffic that local motorists should note. “There will be some restriction of Airport Road from EIA East towards Nisku, from 2 lanes down to 1,” he stated in an email.
Chodan noted additional work to be completed during 2016 includes: widening the exit ramp from the QEII southbound from the current two-lane configuration to five lanes and adding a signalized intersection with double left turning lanes to Nisku where the off-ramp meets Airport Road; addition of traffic signals to the new intersection of Airport Road and Airport Perimeter Road; construction of a new off-ramp from Airport Road onto the QEII southbound and; construction of a new access road from Airport Road to the future site of the Outlet Collection
This $15-million improvement project is funded entirely by EIA, and is a reinvestment of non-aeronautical revenue such as parking fees and vending machine revenue. Airport Improvement Fees (AIF) are not a funding source for this project.
Steve Rumley, EIA Vice President Infrastructure, said EIA is proud of its new project and is eager to see it completed. “EIA is a key regional economic driver, and our core values place safety and security first. To ensure the safety of travelers and support current development, we are committing our time and resources to this infrastructure improvement project,” he stated in the press release.